Angele Restaurant & Bar

What it's like

Angele is a French-countryside restaurant on Main Street, right on the Napa River. The draw is the outdoor dining along the water: when the weather cooperates, a table on the terrace is one of the nicer places in downtown Napa to sit for a long lunch. Inside is a warm, bistro-style room.

Who it's best for

Anyone who wants a relaxed, unfussy French meal in the middle of town. It works well for a leisurely lunch between tastings, for a first-night dinner when you want somewhere pleasant but not intimidating, and for groups that want a view of the river instead of a parking lot.

What to order & how to book

Expect classic French bistro cooking with a Napa lean. The kitchen's menus are posted on the site as images and PDFs, so look at the current lunch and dinner menus before you go. Roasted quail shows up in the restaurant's own photography, which gives you an idea of the style. Lunch runs daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner daily from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You can reserve through the reservations page on their site or by phone at (707) 252-8115. If you want a table outside, mention it when you book, and think about calling to confirm on the day.

How it fits into a day

Because Angele is open for both lunch and dinner every day, it is easy to slot into a downtown Napa plan. Walk the riverfront after lunch, then go tasting in town, or save it for a sunset dinner. It is a short walk from Morimoto Napa, Cole's Chop House and the Oxbow district, so you can compare menus if your plans are loose. After wine, take a rideshare or walk instead of driving.